Episode 129
How Leaders Build High Performing Remote Teams with AI and Trust
Why Experience and Trust Matter More Than Titles
Episode summary
In Episode 129 of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast, host Sannah Vinding talks with Kaitlyn Tredaway, Chief Operating Officer at CalcuQuote, about how leaders build alignment, trust, and performance inside remote and global teams. Kaitlyn has helped scale CalcuQuote from a two person startup to a global software company serving electronics manufacturers across continents.
She shares how transparency, curiosity, communication, and thoughtful use of AI help teams stay motivated and connected, even across oceans.
This conversation is for leaders who want to scale teams, create clarity, improve collaboration, and build a culture where people communicate openly and grow confidently.
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You Will Learn
- How remote teams communicate effectively without losing connection
- Why clarity, transparency, and over communication reduce confusion and stress
- How to build collaboration across regions and time zones
- When AI adds real value and when human judgment must take the lead
- How to help teams stay motivated without burning out
- Why leaders need to step back from daily work to see the bigger picture
Listen now and subscribe to Leadership in Manufacturing.
Key takeaways
Communication Builds Stronger Remote Teams
Remote work can easily create silos. Kaitlyn’s approach is to over communicate and create predictable spaces where teams collaborate, share challenges, and understand each other’s work. Weekly regional standups help teams connect, cross share information, and avoid working in isolation.
“Otherwise we would all be head down in our work every single day and we would forget we have team members across the ocean.”
Clarity and Structure Improve Collaboration
Meetings are not meant for status updates. Kaitlyn creates standups where the focus is on challenges, support, and next steps. She encourages teams to redirect deep conversations offline and keep meetings meaningful.
“Do not have a meeting for the sake of a meeting. If this meeting does not work, fix it and do it differently.”
AI Should Support People, Not Replace Them
Kaitlyn sees AI as a tool that handles complexity, routine, and repetitive tasks, which gives people more focus for high value work. But relationship building, customer judgment, and human insight cannot be automated.
“Machines do not get bored of things like humans get bored of things. But people and processes still matter.”
Motivation Starts With Real Human Understanding
High performing teams need space, trust, and time to learn. Kaitlyn encourages her team to take breaks, protect mental health, and step away when needed so they can show up fully.
“If you need personal time, take personal time. You will not show up for work if you are distracted on a personal level.”
Leaders Grow by Stepping Back
Scaling a team requires letting go. Kaitlyn shares how leaders must shift from doing the work to guiding the work, empowering A players, and trusting people to take ownership.
“Personal hustle cannot scale a team. You have to hire A players so you can step back and see what the business really needs from you.”
Why this matters
Global teams, hybrid culture, and digital communication have reshaped leadership in manufacturing and electronics. Leaders who learn to communicate clearly, empower their teams, and use AI wisely create healthier cultures and better performance. This episode shows how to build trust and clarity across remote teams while keeping people first.
“Remote teams thrive when leaders create space for clarity, collaboration, and human connection.”
Episode highlights
How Experience Shapes Real Leadership
- Scaling a startup to a global company taught Kaitlyn how to grow people, hand off responsibilities, and trust the team. Leaders cannot do everything themselves. Real leadership requires stepping back to see what the business needs next.
How to Build Effective Communication Habits
- Regional standups, shared challenges, and clear meeting purpose keep teams aligned. It is not about more meetings, it is about better meetings.
How to Lead Across Cultures and Time Zones
- Every region communicates differently. Leaders must consider cultural nuances, communication styles, and levels of independence. Kaitlyn shares how her team collaborates across the US, EMEA, and APAC.
Why AI Adds Value Only When Used Thoughtfully
- AI helps automate repetitive tasks but cannot replace human judgment. Kaitlyn frames AI as a tool for efficiency, not a solution for leadership.
How Leaders Support Motivation in Remote Teams
- Motivation grows when leaders allow flexibility, encourage mental breaks, and make space for learning. Remote culture requires more intentional check ins and trust.
Practical Tip
Create one weekly standup that focuses only on challenges, support, and collaboration.
No status updates.
No long reports.
Just 15 minutes of clarity and connection.
This helps global teams stay aligned and break silos instantly.
About the guest
Kaitlyn Tredaway
Chief Operating Officer at CalcuQuote
Kaitlyn Tredaway leads global operations, strategy, and customer success at CalcuQuote, a software company supporting the electronics manufacturing industry. Since joining in 2016, she has helped scale the company from a two person startup into a global organization with more than 75 employees across multiple regions.
She is known for her leadership in remote team development, operational clarity, and customer experience. With a background in international business, Kaitlyn brings a global perspective and a practical approach to building high performing teams. She is based in the Dallas area.
Who this episode is for
This episode is built for:
- Leaders managing remote or hybrid manufacturing teams
- Operations and engineering managers supporting global collaboration
- Executives scaling teams across regions or time zones
- Leaders integrating AI into workflows without losing human judgment
- Anyone building a communication-driven leadership culture
What you will be able to do after listening
After listening to Episode 129, you will be able to:
- Communicate more clearly and intentionally with remote teams
- Create collaboration routines that prevent silos
- Use AI to increase efficiency while keeping human connection strong
- Support your team’s motivation and mental health
- Step back from daily tasks to see the business more strategically
- Build a leadership culture rooted in clarity, trust, and transparency
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